Focusing on football development, the Government of West Bengal and Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LALIGA), have entered a Memorandum of Understanding to elevate the game through mutual collaborations between India and Spain.

Represented by the honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee and President of La Liga, Javier Tebas, the meeting took place in Madrid and will seek to jointly promote football through mutual collaboration.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket team skipper was in attendance, and Chief Secretary, Govt of West Bengal, H.K. Dwivedi. Representatives of the two major Football clubs of West Bengal joined the program, Debasish Dutta, General Secretary, of Mohun Bagan Athletic Club and Sri Ishtiaque Ahmed, General Secretary, of Mohammedan Sporting Club.

With the objective of collaboration through bilateral relations, the MoU will amplify the flow of knowledge & expertise from La Liga- the largest football ecosystem in the world - into West Bengal. Utilizing shared resources to develop the game, the MOU will also look to develop the game’s grassroots & youth development set-up in West Bengal.

Amongst the highlights of the groundbreaking understanding of talent identification, infrastructural development & coach education, La Liga will also explore the development of excellence projects in the region basis mutual agreements with the Government of West Bengal. Additionally, La Liga will also explore opportunities for football administrators, players & coaches from the region to be trained in the La Liga methodology.